Moscow looking to add naval base in Cuba

Russia's only existing docking site outside Soviet Union is in Syrian port of Tartus

Published: 07/27/2012 at 9:10 PM

(Fox News Latino) Russia is talking to Cuba about housing Russian navy ships, the nation’s navy chief said Friday, in a move seen as an attempt to challenge Washington.

Russia is also talking to Vietnam and the Indian Ocean island country of Seychelles as possible naval hubs.

Relations with Washington have deteriorated since President Vladimir Putin was re-elected to a third term in March largely in part to the violence in Syria.

Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov told the state RIA Novosti news agency that Russia is in talks about setting up maintenance and supply facilities for Russian ships in those countries but wouldn’t give any further details.